Earth Eats: Danish Smorrebrod (Smørrebrød)

The Kingdom of Denmark (Kongeriget Danmark) is a Northern European country bordered in the south by Germany and by Norway and Sweden to the north. The land of Hans Christian Andersen is today’s Earth Eats featured country.

Traditional Danish cuisine, like that of many other Northern European countries, is heavily based on meat and potatoes, due to the harsh winter conditions. Having a large coastline means that fish/seafood too became an essential component of the cuisine of Denmark.

First impressions will leave you thinking that Danish cooking isn’t very healthy, but I have found otherwise. In the past years there has also been a movement promoting fresh local and healthier ingredients. Their cuisine keeps evolving and in fact Fromer’s said the following “Danish food is the best in Scandinavia — in fact, it’s among the best in Europe.” With a review like that you know you must give the dishes of Denmark a taste.

I have never really eaten Danish food; Up until the time I started researching Danish cuisine I wasn’t even sure if the famous pastry called “Danish” was an American invention or really one that originated in Denmark. It turns out that the pastry is eaten in Denmark, but there it is called winerbrod or Vienna bread and was invented by Viennese chefs in 1840. Though I do love a warm, soft and sticky winerbrod, I wanted to prepare something savoury and that wouldn’t conflict with my need to avoid wheat. So instead I would like to share another famous Danish treat: Smørrebrød.

Smørrebrød translates to bread and butter or open-faced sandwich. The small sandwiches are traditionally eaten during lunch or smaller versions are served as appetisers. The basic recipe is a piece of buttered rye bread topped with fish/seafood, cold cuts, meat, cheese, and fruits or vegetables. When doing my research I found that there really isn’t one specific topping that defines smørrebrød. What I found was that the variety of topping choices is huge. Yes, there are a few that you’ll probably come across over and over again, but many people add their own personal touches even to those classics.

There were so many delicious choices but In the end I choose to prepare 4 different types of smørrebrød. Both cured salmon and pickled herring are eaten frequently throughout Scandinavia, I absolutely love them both so I had to include them in the mix. Danish blue cheese is my husband’s favourite blue so of course we had to include that too. Then I came across a very unique recipe for herring with curry sauce — I love curry and can never resist trying out new flavour combinations. The recipe belongs to Marcus of the blog “Danish Open Sandwiches” He has among the best collection of recipes for smørrebrød, make sure you check out his blog. The simplest recipe for smørrebrød I came across was just butter and slices of radish.

Okay, now I’m going to give you the ingredients list for the sandwiches and recipe for the curried herring.

This was a super fun lunch to prepare! I assembled the sandwiches before serving them, but I think it would also be great to lay out the ingredients and let everyone build their own smørrebrød. I’m thinking a fun thing to do for a party.

I have to say that I was not only intrigued by the curried smørrebrød, but also had high expectations — I was not disappointed. The tanginess of the pickled herring combined with the curry powder and other ingredients was amazing! I love the soft and crunchy textures. We had some of the sauce leftover and the next day I ate just that on a piece of rye, it was so good.

The smoked salmon sandwich was very good but nothing too impressive if you’re used to eating lox on your bagel. The radish one was very simple but still delicious. As for the blue cheese, apple and bacon one: that was my husband’s favourite. I loved it too, the tart cheese with tart and crunchy apple complimented the smokey bacon wonderfully.

This was such a different lunch for us and one we both would happily have again. We both are also looking forward to tasting other dishes from Danish cuisine.

Tell me have you eve eaten Danish food, if so what would you recommend we try next?

If you’re interested in Danish cuisine these cookbooks look delicious!

I just have to say I LOVE your Earth Eats series! It is such a great idea and I love the countries you’ve chosen so far — I kind of expected to see generic cuisines like Italian and Greek and French. You’ve so intrigued me with Afghan and Albanian and Danish, though! Keep up the good work. I can’t WAIT to try these sandwiches. I don’t usually like pickled herring but this looks like it could make me like it:)

This is absolutely lovely but certainly not JUST Danish . . . . your very good map shows about 1/3 of the area where these sandwiches are breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and always party food and there are dozens of variations including many with meats. Now I come from Estonia [yes, on the map] and tho’ I have lived for decades in Australia the only time I would have something else for breakfast would be when I am travelling!!! I would not dream of making or eating a sandwich with two slices of bread and when offered such in a cafe, always take the top slice off!! Beautiful photos and smoked salmon with cottage cheese and raw onions or chopped chives is yummy!!!!!

When I went to Norway we were served quiet a few sandwiches very similar to this. The best I remember was served outside in the countryside in the fjords. The experience stuck with me enough that I have put together a few of these sandwiches myself. Only I tend to eat them for breakfast now that I’m home. GREG

Lovely post, Nancy! I am new to your blog, but I know this will not be my only visit. In fact, I see myself stopping by often. I love your blog’s design and color scheme, but your photography is what is blowing me away! So very inviting. Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I am now following you at Pinterest, and your blog via Bloglovin’, so I don’t miss a beat!

I don’t know much about Danish food but the Smørrebrød is the kind of sandwich/appetizer that I like to indulge. Beautiful to the eyes and pleasing to the mouth! I love all the pictures of your lovely creation!

Great post! I love Smørrebrød!, having lived in Denmark and still going there often it’s one of the foods i enjoy the most up north, my favorites are with herring or shrimp. Another favorite is the Frikadeller (danish meatballs) with potato salad and rye bread. For dessert, the Risalamande (it’s a bit like Arroz con leche, but with a yummy cherry sauce) or the Aebleskiver, which are like pancake-balls covered with sugar and served with marmalade.

I was in Denmark a few years ago and that was my first experience with Smørrebrød. The ones we had for lunch were made with shrimp and were absolutely delicious! This post brings back so many memories of that trip. Thanks for reminding me! Great post and beautiful photos, Nancy!